Category: General

?The lack of access to ready markets and inadequate value-addition avenues for perishable crops?are two?critical challenges inhibiting sustainable agricultural growth in Ghana. Tonnes of food produce are wasted annually?due?to these issues, with some smallholder farmers experiencing?as high as 30 per?cent postharvest losses,?the African Centre for Economic Transformation (ACET)?has estimated. As a result of their inability to access markets, which leads to losses, most?farmers prefer?to sell their produce at the farm-gate. Like many other farmers in the country, the woes of smallholder farmers in the?Ahafo?Region are not different,?as they struggle?to?minimise?postharvest losses because of?the?lack of modern equipment, technologies and approaches. Despite the significant advances in food storage methods,?most of the?farmers still rely on indigenous vessels such as mud silos, barns, cribs, and drums for the storage of grain, fodder, and seed. Agriculturists are of the view that such storage vessels are si mple to construct and inexpensive to maintain, but are unable to protect the produce from biological, physical and environmental hazards for a prolonged period of time. The scenario, however,?is being changed for the better by the kind courtesy of the decision by mining giant, Newmont, to revamp the?Asutifi?Processing and Services Centre (APSC). The expanded?facility, inaugurated?recently, marks?a?significant development to boost?the agricultural value chain in one of Ghana's strategic food producing Regions, notably in?chilli?pepper and ginger production. The US$4 million Centre has been?established by mining giant, Newmont, with support from the German Development Cooperation, to bring to the barest minimum the incidence of postharvest losses. It is envisaged that the initiative will, in the long term, improve the incomes and livelihoods of farmers, thereby opening up the local economy for sustainable growth. Earning the description; 'The food basket of Ghana', the region's soil type and rainfall patte rn support the cultivation of varied food and cash crops, with farmers engaged in both subsistent and commercial production. One critical challenge,?particularly with commercial?farming, is?the?inadequate value-addition avenues for perishable crops, including?chilli?pepper and ginger. 'The revamped APSC signifies Newmont's dedication to fostering local economic growth, promoting sustainable development, and supporting agricultural value chains in the?Ahafo?Region,?recognised?as the breadbasket of Ghana,'?says?David?Thornton, the Managing Director of Newmont's Africa Business Unit. Over 80 farmer-based?organisations?and about 1,000?chilli?pepper and ginger farmers are benefiting from the APSC through an out-grower scheme, guaranteeing them increased and consistent income. Besides the processing of?chilli?pepper and ginger, the facility, situated at?Subriso, a community along the?Acherensua-Hwidiem?road, is also expected to add value to every step of the?farmers' activities, from production to market. ? In 2013, Newmont, which operates the?Ahafo?Mine in?the?Ahafo?Region and the?Akyem?Mine in the Eastern Region, established the?Asutifi?Processing and Services Centre, in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation. The project was initially designed?on a pilot basis to explore processing and marketing opportunities for?agricultural produce at?Ahafo. This was after extensive engagements with the beneficiary farmers and assessments to understand the agricultural?value chain in the?region and the opportunities therein. In line with Newmont's social performance strategy, which aims to enhance opportunities for people in its host communities, particularly the youth and women, the APSC became a significant vehicle to support the livelihoods of the people and create sustainable jobs in the?area.? The project, being implemented?under Newmont's broader Local Economic Diversification (LED) initiative,?focuses on fostering partnerships with development agencies as well as the?government with an aim to improve the living conditions of the people. It seeks?to identify business opportunities, create employment?and promote sustainable development in the company's host communities. The facility, which started operating in 2013, encountered some challenges that impacted the?realisation?of its full potential, including?limited raw materials to feed the factory and ready markets for the products. In the course of time,?Newmont conducted extensive feasibility studies in 2018 to confirm the viability of a bigger facility with the requisite market demand for processed?chilli?pepper and ginger. The outcome of the assessment justified?the company'ssignificant investment to scale up the project and create job opportunities, especially for farmers in the area and those in the agricultural?value chain.? 'The German Development Cooperation is happy to partner Newmont on this project, which has?a?huge potentially?positive impact for the farmers,' John?Duti,?the Team Lead of Invest for Jobs at?GIZ Ghana,?remarked at the inaugur ation?of the revamped Asutifi?Processing and Services Centre. 'It will aid increased productivity by?addressing?the issue of postharvest losses, one of the key challenges in the agricultural sector.' Newmont, one of?the world's leading mining companies, is?among Ghana's largest taxpayers, and its development foundations at?Ahafo?and?Akyem continue?to?support host community development. Source: Ghana News Agency

The Black History Festival 2024, will begin from February 22 to February 24 at the Columbus Marriott Airport Hotel, Ohio. The festival, expected to bring together people of African descent from across the globe. is on the theme: 'The Africa We Want in a Global Setup - Rebuilding the Trans-Atlantic Trade ties for the Socio-Economic and Cultural advancement of the peoples of Africa and the Americas.' An official statement copied to the GNA said the festival aims to strengthen ties and foster collaboration among attendees. This year's festival is open to participants from all six regions of Africa, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and diversity. The statement said: 'With an expected turnout of over 1,000 attendees, the event will feature speakers, panelists, and delegates from Africa, the Americas, and the African Diaspora worldwide. It added: 'A diverse array of activities and events await attendees, including the Black History Walk on February 21; Innovation and Technology Day-February 22; Black His tory Lecture, February 23; Global Africa Marketplace (22nd to 24th); the Africa-Americas Trade and Development Forum (February24: morning session), and the prestigious Black History Makers Awards (February 24 evening). Entertainment activities and a tour will round off the festival, promising an enriching experience for all.' According to Mr Stephen Selasie Asuo, the Executive Coordinator, the Black History Festival 2024 would reinforce historic connections, promote trade and development, and celebrate cultural heritage. 'By facilitating collaboration and dialogue, the festival seeks to set the stage for future partnerships in policy reforms, trade treaties, professional exchanges, tourism, and more. Some of the invited special guests for the event include the Diplomatic Corps, Business Executives, the Academia, other key personalities, the media, and the public. 'We are thrilled to host the Black History Festival 2024 in Columbus, Ohio, and look forward to welcoming participants from around the world,' sa id festival organizers. 'Together, we will celebrate our shared heritage, explore opportunities for collaboration, and chart a path toward a brighter future for the African Diaspora.' The festival is an initiative powered by BIDEC (Bureau for International Development, Exchanges, and Commerce), supported by the One Voice Consortium, KGL Group, M and C Group Global, Office of the President of Ghana (Diaspora Affairs Directorate), under the auspices of the African Union Mission to the USA and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). The statement advised interested persons to access https://shorturl.at/fuI47 for more information about the Black History Festival 2024, including registration details and programme. Source: Ghana News Agency

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has funded the construction and completion of an ultra-modern water-closet toilet facility project for the Odumase Community in the Sunyani West Municipality. The project was initiated by Madam Amma Fimpomaa, a defeated Election 2024 parliamentary aspirant of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for Sunyani West, who is also the National Coordinator of Good Causes Foundation of the NLA. Speaking at an inauguration ceremony to hand over the project to the community, Madam Frimpomaa entreated the residents and the general public to practice good and proper sanitation to maintain environmental best practices to prevent outbreak of diseases. She observed improper sanitation practices created environmental health problems that could affect a whole community with diverse infectious diseases, saying sometimes it resulted in epidemics, causing unexpected deaths. Madam Frimpomaa hoped the presence of the facility would help, particularly to save the people from practicing open defecat ion which contributed to the outbreak of diseases like cholera in communities. Touching on the activities of the Foundation, Madam Frimpomaa said it was the corporate social responsibility (CSR) arm of the NLA, saying the provision of the project was thus in line with the Authorities objective of giving back to Ghanaians as the its existence and sustenance over the years resulted from the support and patronage of its products and services by the general public. She announced the Authority had already constructed and inaugurated over 16 toilet facilities, provided bole holes to some selected communities, and supported the vulnerable such as widows and physically challenged persons in the country. Madam Frimpomaa advised the public to be wary of fake lottery operators in the country who might try to dupe them because some fraudsters' mode of operation in the lottery business had been receiving their unsuspected victims' money with the view to doubling it for them but ended as fraud. Mr Evans Kusi-Boadum, th e Sunyani West Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) thanked the NLA for the provision of the facility and advised the people to maintain it well for its long-lasting use not only in their own interest but for the benefit of the generation yet unborn. Source: Ghana News Agency

Seven suspects have so far been arrested in relation to the murder of Mr Eric Johnson, the Chief Executive Officer of Royal Cozy Hills Hotel, at Jirapa in the Upper West Region, according to the Ghana Police Service The suspects: Kumbata Kwaku, Dookuuri Fausta, Braimah Kasim, Beyuo Felix, Michael Klugey, Charles Tuoze and Favour Nuobe, who are all workers at the Hotel, are in Police custody assisting the investigation. The deceased was found on February 11, 2024, lying in a pool of blood in one of the rooms at the hotel. A news brief from the Police said they would continue with investigations to bring the perpetrator(s) to face justice. Source: Ghana News Agency

Protests decreased to 3,432 in 2023 compared to 7,754 protests in 2022,» member of the Social Observatory at the Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social Rights (FTDES) Rihab Mabrouki said. At a press conference, held, Tuesday, on the FTDES's annual report on protests, non-regulatory migration, suicide and violence, Mabrouki underlined that the governorate of Tunis ranked first in 2023 with 557 protests, followed by the governorate of Gafsa in the second position with 424 protests then the governorate of Sidi Bouzid with 259 movements. Mabrouki affirmed that these protests took place to demand the right to a decent life, employment, payment of salaries, quality education and improving healthcare services. «Despite the decrease in the number of protests in 2023, environmental protests reached 463 movements, which represents 13.5 % of the total protest,» she added. FTDES President Abderramène Hédhili pointed out «that protests declined in 2023 because Tunisian citizens grew disillusioned by the usefulness of demonstrations as well as politicians' failure to find effective solutions to Tunisia's economic and social problems.» The FTDES President reiterated that «the decline in the number of protests should not been as an achievement for the ruling power but rather a sign of a future social explosion." Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse